Biological Approach
The biological approach of anthropology is the approach probably most familiar to people with a background of “hard” science. The biological approach includes researching factors such as the environment, genes and individual choices. The biological approach looks at a problem through a physiological standpoint. This approach is very valuable when studying OCD because OCD is a disorder than affects the most complicated and poorly understood organ in the body: the brain. The brain is in part so complicated because it’s hard to visualize its function whereas, when studying the heart, a researcher can easily observe its function as a four chambered pump. The brain has many circuits that lead to decision-making and cognitive processing. Neuroimaging techniques have lead to the hypothesis that the orbitofrontal area and the subcortical area have altered connections, which can lead to OCD symptoms. An imbalance of feedback loops in these areas of the brain is now thought to cause OCD as well. By studying the pathology of these circuits and through studying the biological basis of this disease, the mechanism behind it can be better understood. |
This diagram shows the orbital prefrontal cortex and the subcortical areas such as the thalamus and putamen. An imbalance of the feedback loops of these brain regions are thought to lead to OCD (Leonard 2007).
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Ecological Approach
The ecological approach, on the other, hand looks more at the homeostasis of the body. The ecological approach can include a variety of subjects such as plants and animals, political economy, humans, culture and natural resources. This again becomes very valuable when studying a spectrum disease such as OCD. OCD is a disease diagnosed by symptoms---as I stated earlier, there is no “blood test” for OCD. There is a stigma about mental disorders in most societies that stems back thousands of years. This culturally hinders people from seeking out help for their disease and leads to the patient usually suffering in silence. Also, since this is a type of anxiety disorder, does growing up in a certain type of environment premeditate acquiring this disease? From a political aspect, one who is studying the ecological approach with regards to OCD could look to see what sorts of government funding is available for people with OCD. There needs to be adequate policies in place so people get the help they need.
The ecological approach, on the other, hand looks more at the homeostasis of the body. The ecological approach can include a variety of subjects such as plants and animals, political economy, humans, culture and natural resources. This again becomes very valuable when studying a spectrum disease such as OCD. OCD is a disease diagnosed by symptoms---as I stated earlier, there is no “blood test” for OCD. There is a stigma about mental disorders in most societies that stems back thousands of years. This culturally hinders people from seeking out help for their disease and leads to the patient usually suffering in silence. Also, since this is a type of anxiety disorder, does growing up in a certain type of environment premeditate acquiring this disease? From a political aspect, one who is studying the ecological approach with regards to OCD could look to see what sorts of government funding is available for people with OCD. There needs to be adequate policies in place so people get the help they need.
Case Study
One specific case study that focuses on the onset of OCD in a patient referred to as A.B. was documented in 1890. This shows that people have been interested in researching the strange occurrences that happen in OCD for quite some time. In this case A.B. showed many odd behaviors such as having to count to one hundred after she got done brushing her teeth, tapping her foot nine times on the edge of the bed before entering and knocking three times on the edge of the door and window before entering a room. These peculiar actions sparked the interest of researchers over 100 years ago and still puzzle many people in the medical field including medical anthropologists. A.B. was only 13 at the time. This subject was fairly young but still had a fair amount of life experiences. An anthropologist studying this matter might investigate what in her life could have caused her to obtain this strange behavior. Upon further research it was discovered that A.B.’s mother was very high –strung and nervous and that her father had died insane. A.B. came from a neuropathic family and was an only child. These factors could most definitely have led to A.B.’s neurotic like behavior and eventually manifested into OCD (Rapport 1989).
One specific case study that focuses on the onset of OCD in a patient referred to as A.B. was documented in 1890. This shows that people have been interested in researching the strange occurrences that happen in OCD for quite some time. In this case A.B. showed many odd behaviors such as having to count to one hundred after she got done brushing her teeth, tapping her foot nine times on the edge of the bed before entering and knocking three times on the edge of the door and window before entering a room. These peculiar actions sparked the interest of researchers over 100 years ago and still puzzle many people in the medical field including medical anthropologists. A.B. was only 13 at the time. This subject was fairly young but still had a fair amount of life experiences. An anthropologist studying this matter might investigate what in her life could have caused her to obtain this strange behavior. Upon further research it was discovered that A.B.’s mother was very high –strung and nervous and that her father had died insane. A.B. came from a neuropathic family and was an only child. These factors could most definitely have led to A.B.’s neurotic like behavior and eventually manifested into OCD (Rapport 1989).
Environmental Processes & Genetic Determinism
Through the lenses of this weeks course material, OCD can be analyzed in an even different way. Medical ecology states that aspects of environment and global processes have a direct impact on human health. This aspect is more so based on evolution than political and cultural factors. This ties in closely with adaptation. Behavior is altered in order to better survive in the environment. In A.B.’s case, for example, she might have developed tics and orderly behaviors such as tapping her foot nine times before entering bed as a way to gain control over her situation. If her father was insane and her mother was high-strung, it is possible that there was so much disorder in her life she needed to find ways to bring order. She did this through actions such as counting to one hundred after brushing her teeth. She created rituals to try and have a sense of control over her life.
Another way that OCD could be looked at with regard to the material of the week is through genetic determinism. All in all, people can be reduced to biological components. It could be possible that A.B., or any patient with OCD, inherited certain genes that predisposed OCD like behaviors. A.B.’s parents’ issues could have a genetic basis. This then could have been passed down to A.B. Genes, where not fully responsible to OCD, most definitely play a role. This could otherwise be seen as an issue of nature vs. nurture.
Through the lenses of this weeks course material, OCD can be analyzed in an even different way. Medical ecology states that aspects of environment and global processes have a direct impact on human health. This aspect is more so based on evolution than political and cultural factors. This ties in closely with adaptation. Behavior is altered in order to better survive in the environment. In A.B.’s case, for example, she might have developed tics and orderly behaviors such as tapping her foot nine times before entering bed as a way to gain control over her situation. If her father was insane and her mother was high-strung, it is possible that there was so much disorder in her life she needed to find ways to bring order. She did this through actions such as counting to one hundred after brushing her teeth. She created rituals to try and have a sense of control over her life.
Another way that OCD could be looked at with regard to the material of the week is through genetic determinism. All in all, people can be reduced to biological components. It could be possible that A.B., or any patient with OCD, inherited certain genes that predisposed OCD like behaviors. A.B.’s parents’ issues could have a genetic basis. This then could have been passed down to A.B. Genes, where not fully responsible to OCD, most definitely play a role. This could otherwise be seen as an issue of nature vs. nurture.
Bibliography
“Basal Ganglia Disease & OCD.” In Obsessive-Complusive Disorders in Children & Adolecents, editied by Judith L. Rapport, 328. American Psychiatric Press, Inc., 1989
Henrietta Leonard. “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder- The Dana Guide.” Dana. Last modified March, 2007. http://www.dana.org/Publications/GuideDetails.aspx?id=50035.
Robert Lemelson and Jeffery Winters. “Strange Maladies.” Psychology Today. Last modified January 20, 2011. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200111/strange-maladies.
Stewart, C. "Obsessive-Comulsive Disorder To Do List." 2008. http://arturozinga.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/1-2008-mental-health-humor-cartoon-comic-floss-about-_ocd_to_do_list-image.jpg?w=705.
“Basal Ganglia Disease & OCD.” In Obsessive-Complusive Disorders in Children & Adolecents, editied by Judith L. Rapport, 328. American Psychiatric Press, Inc., 1989
Henrietta Leonard. “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder- The Dana Guide.” Dana. Last modified March, 2007. http://www.dana.org/Publications/GuideDetails.aspx?id=50035.
Robert Lemelson and Jeffery Winters. “Strange Maladies.” Psychology Today. Last modified January 20, 2011. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200111/strange-maladies.
Stewart, C. "Obsessive-Comulsive Disorder To Do List." 2008. http://arturozinga.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/1-2008-mental-health-humor-cartoon-comic-floss-about-_ocd_to_do_list-image.jpg?w=705.